Integrated Energy Modeling for Computational Building Design Assistance

Insights into the importance of energy modelling in building design have not yet resulted in the sufficient and systematic use of modelling tools in practice. In recent years, there has been considerable discussion on the limitations of simulation tools, and there is a noteworthy consensus as to the nature of the contributing factors (material and time implications, problematic user-interfaces, inefficient data communication structures, poor integration with CAD systems, absence of'active'design support). This thesis deals with three research questions that are especially pertinent to the quest for active, multi-aspect design and simulation environments: (1) The appropriateness and feasibility of a methodologically consistent performance modelling approach through the entire design process. (2) Strategies for a structurally'seamless'containment of performance simulation within a computational design environment. (3) Technologies to facilitate dynamic and interactive performance-to-design mapping. At a paradigmatic level, this thesis critically examines the existing responses to each of these questions, and proposes alternative computational frameworks and technologies to overcome some of the system-immanent ('endogenous') limitations of the existing approaches. At an operational level, this thesis demonstrates the proposed solutions by implementing an active thermal simulation module (NO